"Caution is understandable, but to continue ostracizing a child even after your investigation found no one was manipulating her... that’s just inhumane. It’s no wonder the little one chose to go with Xiang Minghou."

Dean Chen felt that under those circumstances, anyone would have been willing to go home with Xiang Minghou.

A child will only reach out to those who are kind to them...

"I know I was completely out of line back then. Dean Chen, didn’t you always teach us that there’s no greater virtue than admitting and correcting one’s mistakes?" Zhan Chi had known for a long time that he was in the wrong.

His killing intent back then hadn’t been because of the child. After inquiries from several parties turned up nothing unusual, he had lowered his guard around her.

"That may be true, but I still believe first impressions are powerful." Dean Chen knew his young disciple’s personality. The only thing that mattered was what she wanted; blood ties couldn’t restrain her.

"Dean Chen, they were just being foolish. But we, as her grandparents, were sincere about wanting to bring the child to live with us the moment we found out." Zhan Yi didn’t even want to talk about what that little rascal had done.

"Yes, yes, we’re being completely sincere," Mrs. Zhan said. "Dean Chen, don’t you think Pangtuan looks just like our daughter, Susu, did when she was little?"

Hearing this, Dean Chen thought back carefully. He hadn’t noticed before it was mentioned, but Pangtuan’s features really did resemble the Zhan family’s eldest daughter. If she were a bit thinner, they would look like identical twins.

He couldn’t help but suspect there was a high probability that his young disciple was indeed from the Zhan family.

Qian Fu had also seen the Zhan family’s eldest daughter, and now that he thought about it, the resemblance was uncanny. If he hadn’t heard his own son say that his blood had fused with the little girl’s, he too would have assumed she belonged to the Zhan family.

"I don’t think they look alike at all," Old Man Gu disagreed. "If anything, I think the little girl looks like my grandson."

"..."

’The nerve of him to say that with a straight face.’

Gu Shuo felt everyone’s scrutinizing gazes and was at a loss for words. He hadn’t planned on saying anything precisely because he knew his grandfather would cause a scene, and he knew the little girl was doing just fine.

’He wondered who the blabbermouth was.’

"Dean Chen, a child must eventually acknowledge their ancestry and return to their family, wouldn’t you agree?" Qian Fu said.

Dean Chen nodded. "Let’s put aside the matter of returning to her family for a moment. Arguing like this is no solution. The only way to settle this is with a bloodline test."

’First, we need to find out which family my young disciple actually belongs to.’

"I agree," Qian Fu was the first to say.

Zhan Yi and his wife exchanged a look, then nodded in agreement.

"A bloodline test, huh..." Old Man Gu was clearly a bit hesitant. He glanced back at Gu Shuo. ’This brat isn’t saying a word. Just how confident is he?’

"Then let’s do the bloodline test," Gu Shuo said calmly.

Seeing that everyone was in agreement, Dean Chen turned his gaze to Xiang Minghou. "And what do you think?"

"Since everyone agrees, then so be it." In his heart, Xiang Minghou didn’t care whether they shared a bloodline or not. He had accepted her as his own from the moment he brought her home.

’Whether they were related by blood or not would change nothing.’

Dean Chen scanned the room. Seeing that everyone was in agreement, he spoke. "However, I have one thing to say beforehand. Regardless of which family the child belongs to, the decision to go with them or not is hers alone. You cannot force her or sway her decision."

A moment of silence fell over the hall. Mrs. Zhan was the most worried; she knew Pangtuan and Xiang Minghou had a very strong bond. ’Willingly?’ She didn’t have a shred of confidence.

Qian Fu felt the same. Getting the child to leave willingly would not be easy.

"My young disciple’s temperament isn’t like that of an ordinary child. Once she’s made up her mind about something, she won’t change it. If you want her to accept you, you’ll have to earn her trust over time." The little one was very sentimental.

"Fine, no problem," Old Man Gu said, full of confidence.

"Then it is settled."

"Mm."

Qian Fu and Zhan Yi also nodded.

With the matter settled, the night had grown late.